“He talks about creating a ‘global Britain’, yet the Tories have overseen the greatest diminution of British influence on the world stage in a generation.

“With his crass and offensive remarks Boris Johnson has single-handedly damaged Britain’s chances of getting a good deal with the EU.

“And after his broken promise of £350m a week for the NHS, why should anyone believe a word he says?”

Johnson has kept a low profile so far in the election campaign even leading some to suggest he had been sidelined although a string of media appearances on Thursday morning as the government’s main spokesman on the election swiftly put that rumour to bed.

I'm not a Corbyn fan but Boris is a liar and an embarrassment to the country #mugwump

“For the first time for many years, some countries are trying to change European borders, not by agreement, but by force. And, as we have seen across Europe in recent months, we face a continued battle against terrorism and the hateful ideology of Islamic extremism.

“These are uncertain and unstable times. Britain needs to help manage them in a serious and clear-sighted way.”